Continuous molding machine



June 24, 1941'. w R. WEBSTER v 2,246,908

CONTINUOUS MOLDING MACHINE Filed Nov. 23, 1940 I IN\II ENTOR ATTORNEYS Patented June24, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFlCE Application lsdzvleiritr No. 366,807

This invention relates to continuous molding machines and more especially to means for dissipating heat from the mold to promote solidification of the metal from molten form into an ingot.

One type of continuous molding machine to which this invention applies consists essentially of a tubular molding chamber having a top inlet into which molten metal is introduced and a bottom outlet through which solidified metal is withdrawn. solidification of the molten metal is promoted by the provision of a jacket around the mold through which water is circulated in heat exchange relation to the outer wall of the mold for dissipating heat therefrom. In molds of this character, it is necessary to provide a very eifective cooling system and unless the heat is rapidly withdrawn from the mold, bubbles of steam form on the exterior surface of the mold and have an insulating effect which reduces the efficiency of the cooling system.

An object of this invention is a cooling system having provision for removing steam bubbles from the exterior surface of the mold and injecting the steam bubbles into the body of circulating water, thereby effecting condensation of the steam and maintaining contact of the cooling water with the entire outer surface of the mold.

In one embodiment of the invention, a cylindrical frame is rotatably supported within the jacket and means are provided for effecting rotation' of said frame.- The frame supports a plurality of longitudinal wipers arranged to engage the outer surface of the mold, wherebyrotation of the frame causes the wipersto'disengage vapor bubbles from the surface of the mold and move them outwardly into the body of the liquid contained in the jacket. Any suitable means may be provided for effecting rotation of the frame and a simple arrangement is the provision of an impact type water wheel at one end of the frame.

Other objects. novel features and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following specification and accompanying drawing, wherein: section through one emboditube. Pipes l2 and I3 are'provided for supplying the water jacket ll.

and withdrawing the cooling liquid; A pouring box or dish I4 is supported above the molding tube II by any suitable means (not shown) and preferably a pipe l5 extends from the bottom of the pouring box It into the molding tube H) a predetermined distance below the top of the molding tube but such pipe may be dispensed with in which case the metal flows in an unconfined stream from the disk It into the mold. Molten metal is supplied tothe pouring dish I! by any means well known in the art, but not disclosed herein and also means (not shown) are provided for withdrawing the solidified ingot from the bottom of the mold tube. v

A cylindrical frame It is arranged within the jacket II and surrounds the mold tube [0. This frame consists of a bottom ring I1 and a top ring it which are fastened together by a pulrality of vertically disposed rods l9. Upon each rod [9 are mounted two or more collars 20 supporting wings 2| extending substantially the full length of the rod. To each wing 2| is attached a wiper 22 of felt or other similar material, the inner end of which engagesthe outer surface of the mold tube [0. Near the upper end of the jacket ll there is provided a flange or shelf 23 in which is provided a raceway receiving anti-friction balls 24 which also are received in a co-acting raceway in the top ring it. In the bottom of the jacket is formed a shoulder 25 having a raceway in which are received the anti-friction balls 26 which are also received in a co-acting raceway in the lower ring ll. The frame I6 is rotatably supported within the jacket through the medium of the ball bearings 24 and 26. Reenforcing bands 21 are provided at intervals between the ends of the frame [6.

Rigidly attached to the upper ring I8 is a water wheel 28, of the impact type comprising vanes 29. The inlet pipe I2 is arranged at proper elevation to supply a stream of water to the wheel 20 to effect rotation of the frame It thereby causing the wipers 22 to pass over the outer surface of the mold III. In the ring it are provided slots or apertures 30 through which water may pass'from the water wheel into the interior of Preferably, these slots or apertures are disposed obliquely toa vertical plane so that the water passing into thewater jacket-may be caused to circulate around the tube It. As the amount of water required to effect the proper rotational speed of the element I9 may be insufllcient to, efiect heat dissipation by the. water jacket at the proper rate, an auxiliary inlet 3| is provided for the purpose of supplying to the jacket whatever additional water may be necessary. This arrangement permits of maintaining proper balance between the rotational speed of the frame [6 and the rate of flow of water through the jacket.

Rotation of the frame It and the connected wipers 22 effects removal from the outer surface of the mold ll] of any bubbles of steam which may form thereon due to the heating of the cooling liquid to a temperature above its boiling temperature by heat derived from the metal in the mold and also produces a rapid circulation of the water in horizontal planes thereby assisting to prevent the formation of bubbles of steam. Such bubbles of steam are moved toward the exterior of the jacket and by contact with the cooling water the steam is condensed. Therefore, the formation of a layer of steam or bubbles in contact with the outer wall of the mold III is avoided and thus the heat transfer efliciency is increased.

While the water wheel above described pro-' vides a sufficient and efficient means of rotating the frame any other suitable driving means therefor may be utilized. Also, it is to be understood that various other modifications may be made in the structure above described without in any way departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a continuous molding apparatus, a cylindrical mold having a top inlet for the introduction of molten metal and a bottom outlet for the removal of solidified metal, a cylindrical jacket surrounding said mold, means for circulating water through said jacket, and means movable in said jacket for removing vapor from contact with the outer surface of said mold.

2. In a continuous molding apparatus, a cylindrical mold having a top inlet for the introduction of molten metal and a bottom outlet for the removal of solidified metal, a cylindrical jacket surrounding said mold, means for circulating water through said jacket, and means rotatable in said jacket to wipe the outer wall of said mold to remove vapor therefrom.

3. In a continuous molding apparatus, a cylindrical mold having a top inlet for the introduction of molten metal and a bottom outlet for the removal of solidified metal, a cylindrical jacket surrounding said mold, means for circulating water through said jacket, means rotatable in said jacket to wipe the outer wall of said mold to remove vapor therefrom, and means operated by the flow of water through said jacket to effect rotation of said wiping means.

4. In a continuous molding apparatus, a cylindrical mold having a top inlet for the introduction of molten metal and a bottom outlet for the removal of solidified metal, a cylindrical jacket surrounding said mold, means for circulating water through said jacket, a cylindrical frame rotatably supported in said jacket, longitudinal wipers carried by said frame for engagement with the outer surface of said mold to remove vapor therefrom, and means to efiect rotation of said frame.

5. In a continuous molding apparatus, a cylindrical mold having a top inlet for the introduction of molten metal and a bottom outlet for the removal of solidified metal, a cylindrical jacketsurrounding said mold, means for circulating water through said jacket, a cylindrical frame rotatably supported in said jacket, longitudinal wipers carried by said frame for engagement with the outer surface of said mold to remove vapor therefrom, and means operated by the flow of water through said mold to effect rotation of said frame.

6. In a continuous molding apparatus, a cylindrical mold having a top inlet for the introduction of molten metal and a bottom outlet for the removal of solidified metal, a cylindrical jacket surrounding said mold, means for circulating water through said jacket, a cylindrical frame rotatably supported'in said jacket, longitudinal wipers carried by said frame for engagement with the outer surface of said mold to remove vapor therefrom, a water wheel carried by said frame, and means for directing a stream of water into contact with said water wheel.

'7. In a continuous molding apparatus, a tubular mold having a top inlet for the introduction of molten metal and a bottom outlet for the removal of solidifiedmetal, a jacket surrounding said mold, means for circulating water through said jacket, means movable in said jacket for removing vapor from contact with the outersurface of said mold, and-driving means for said movable means.

8. In a continuous molding apparatus, a'cylindrical mold having a top inlet for the introduction of molten metal and a bottom outlet for the removal of solidified metal, a cylindrical jacket surrounding said mold, means for circulating water through said jacket, means rotatable in said jacket to wipe the outer wall of said mold to remove vapor therefrom, and driving means for said rotatable wiping means.

WILLIAM R. WEBSTER. 

